{"id":18635222,"url":"https://github.com/bbc-data-unit/organised-crime-flytipping","last_synced_at":"2026-02-10T15:51:09.201Z","repository":{"id":72157221,"uuid":"240218543","full_name":"BBC-Data-Unit/organised-crime-flytipping","owner":"BBC-Data-Unit","description":"Organised criminal gangs are being blamed for the continued rise of large fly-tipping incidents across England.","archived":false,"fork":false,"pushed_at":"2020-03-06T12:19:53.000Z","size":70,"stargazers_count":0,"open_issues_count":0,"forks_count":0,"subscribers_count":4,"default_branch":"master","last_synced_at":"2025-07-25T01:53:44.224Z","etag":null,"topics":["fly-tipping","shareddataunit"],"latest_commit_sha":null,"homepage":null,"language":null,"has_issues":true,"has_wiki":null,"has_pages":null,"mirror_url":null,"source_name":null,"license":null,"status":null,"scm":"git","pull_requests_enabled":true,"icon_url":"https://github.com/BBC-Data-Unit.png","metadata":{"files":{"readme":"README.md","changelog":null,"contributing":null,"funding":null,"license":null,"code_of_conduct":null,"threat_model":null,"audit":null,"citation":null,"codeowners":null,"security":null,"support":null,"governance":null,"roadmap":null,"authors":null,"dei":null,"publiccode":null,"codemeta":null}},"created_at":"2020-02-13T09:08:40.000Z","updated_at":"2020-03-06T12:19:56.000Z","dependencies_parsed_at":"2023-09-16T20:46:05.833Z","dependency_job_id":null,"html_url":"https://github.com/BBC-Data-Unit/organised-crime-flytipping","commit_stats":null,"previous_names":[],"tags_count":0,"template":false,"template_full_name":null,"purl":"pkg:github/BBC-Data-Unit/organised-crime-flytipping","repository_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Forganised-crime-flytipping","tags_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Forganised-crime-flytipping/tags","releases_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Forganised-crime-flytipping/releases","manifests_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Forganised-crime-flytipping/manifests","owner_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners/BBC-Data-Unit","download_url":"https://codeload.github.com/BBC-Data-Unit/organised-crime-flytipping/tar.gz/refs/heads/master","sbom_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories/BBC-Data-Unit%2Forganised-crime-flytipping/sbom","host":{"name":"GitHub","url":"https://github.com","kind":"github","repositories_count":269645785,"owners_count":24452804,"icon_url":"https://github.com/github.png","version":null,"created_at":"2022-05-30T11:31:42.601Z","updated_at":"2022-07-04T15:15:14.044Z","status":"online","status_checked_at":"2025-08-09T02:00:10.424Z","response_time":111,"last_error":null,"robots_txt_status":"success","robots_txt_updated_at":"2025-07-24T06:49:26.215Z","robots_txt_url":"https://github.com/robots.txt","online":true,"can_crawl_api":true,"host_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub","repositories_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repositories","repository_names_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/repository_names","owners_url":"https://repos.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/hosts/GitHub/owners"}},"keywords":["fly-tipping","shareddataunit"],"created_at":"2024-11-07T05:23:59.043Z","updated_at":"2026-02-10T15:51:09.160Z","avatar_url":"https://github.com/BBC-Data-Unit.png","language":null,"funding_links":[],"categories":[],"sub_categories":[],"readme":"# Fly-tipping: Organised crime behind large rise\n\n![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/6E4C/production/_110163282_flytipping2-nc.jpg)\n\nIn February 2020 the BBC Shared Data Unit [reported](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50660138) that organised criminal gangs were being blamed for the continued rise of large fly-tipping incidents across England.\n\nWe compared official statistics on flytipping over several years, analysing the scale and cost of major fly-tipping incidents across England.\n\nOur analysis found:\n\n- The number of incidents of large-scale fly-tipping had more than doubled since 2012.\n- Police and environmental groups said the nature of fly-tipping was changing - a shift driven by a surge in criminal gangs offering illegal waste clearing services.\n- Since the 2012-13 financial year, councils in England had spent just over £59m clearing large scale tips. The bill for such incidents was at its highest in 2018-19.\n- Tipper lorry loads accounted for just over 125,000 of the total number of major incidents, while “significant/multi-loads” were recorded for just under 67,000 major incidents.\n\nThis piece of content was produced by a regional newspaper reporter working alongside BBC staff.\n\nThe Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:\n\n* Bristol Live: [The thousands spent clearing up mounds of fly-tipping dumped in Berkshire by criminal gangs](https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/thousands-spent-clearing-up-mounds-17727242) *13 February 2020*\n* Bromsgrove Advertiser: [Organised criminal gangs are dumping lorry-loads of rubbish](https://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/news/regional/gloucestershire/18232344.organised-criminal-gangs-dumping-lorry-loads-rubbish/)  *13 February 2020*\n* The Comet: [North Hertfordshire records 34 per cent spike in fly-tipping offences](https://www.thecomet.net/news/nhdc-fly-tipping-offences-34-higher-than-previous-year-1-6511721) *13 February 2020*\n* Chichester Observer: [Large-scale fly-tipping on the rise in West Sussex – and ‘rogue traders’ are to blame](https://www.chichester.co.uk/news/crime/large-scale-fly-tipping-rise-west-sussex-and-rogue-traders-are-blame-1571563) *13 February 2020*\n* Chronicle Live: [More than £13,000 paid in fines by fly-tippers and waste dumpers in South Tyneside](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/more-13000-paid-fines-fly-17741494) *13 February 2020*\n* Gloucestershire Live: [Criminal gangs are behind a fly-tipping epidemic in Gloucestershire](https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/lorry-loads-rubbish-being-dumped-3841309) *13 February 2020*\n* Llanelli Online: [Carmarthenshire records highest cost for dealing with fly tipping](http://www.llanellionline.news/carmarthenshire-records-highest-cost-for-dealing-with-fly-tipping) *13 February 2020*\n* North Norfolk News: [Call to dump DIY waste charge amid record fly tipping in part of Norfolk](https://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/news/most-fly-tipping-in-north-norfolk-in-seven-years-as-council-leader-calls-for-diy-charges-to-be-dumped-1-6512215) *13 February 2020*\n* Northamptonshire Telegraph: [Kettering major fly-tipping clearance costs rocket](https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/kettering-major-fly-tipping-clearance-costs-rocket-1574105) *13 February 2020*\n* Peterborough Telegraph: [Criminal gangs dump hundreds of lorry-load fly-tips in Peterborough](https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/crime/criminal-gangs-dump-hundreds-lorry-load-fly-tips-peterborough-1555302) *13 February 2020*\n* Portsmouth News: [Local councils have spent almost £300,000 on major fly-tips since 2012, new figures show](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/politics/council/local-councils-have-spent-almost-ps300000-major-fly-tips-2012-new-figures-show-1556481) *13 February 2020*\n* Romford Recorder: [Revealed: Large scale fly-tipping incidents cost Havering Council more than £43,000 last year](https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/havering-council-major-fly-tipping-incidents-1-6511681) *13 February 2020*\n* Shields Gazette: [Six-figure cost to South Tyneside taxpayers of clearing up after fly-tippers is revealed](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/environment/six-figure-cost-south-tyneside-taxpayers-clearing-after-fly-tippers-revealed-1563968) *13 February 2020*\n* Sunderland Echo: ['No excuses for fly tipping in Sunderland' as near million-pound cost to taxpayers is revealed](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/people/no-excuses-fly-tipping-sunderland-near-million-pound-cost-taxpayers-revealed-1564452) *13 February 2020*\n* Wilts and Gloustershire Standard: [Organised criminal gangs are dumping lorry-loads of rubbish](https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/18232344.organised-criminal-gangs-dumping-lorry-loads-rubbish) *13 February 2020*\n* Worthing Herald: [Six-figure cost of empty business units in Worthing, Adur and Arun revealed](https://www.worthingherald.co.uk/business/six-figure-cost-empty-business-units-worthing-adur-and-arun-revealed-1384378) *13 February 2020*\n* Yorkshire Post: [Criminals are fly-tipping lorryfuls of waste in Yorkshire - and it's costing us half a million each year](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/criminals-are-fly-tipping-lorryfuls-of-waste-in-yorkshire-and-it-s-costing-us-half-a-million-each-year-1-10253799) *13 February 2020*\n* Berkshire Live: [The thousands spent clearing up mounds of fly-tipping dumped in Berkshire by criminal gangs](https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/thousands-spent-clearing-up-mounds-17727242) *14 February 2020*\n* Express and Star: [Gangs dump lorry loads of rubbish as figures reveal fly-tipping frenzy](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2020/02/15/gangs-dump-lorry-loads-of-rubbish-as-figures-reveal-fly-tipping-frenzy/) *14 February 2020*\n* Eastern Daily Press: [Responsibility falls on homeowners to cut flytipping \"at its very source\"](https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/major-fly-tipping-on-the-increase-across-norfolk-1-6516483) *14 February 2020*\n* Harrogate Advertiser: [Large scale fly tipping in Harrogate triples in 8 years - costing the taxpayer almost £30,000](https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/council/large-scale-fly-tipping-harrogate-triples-8-years-costing-taxpayer-almost-ps30000-1613403) *14 February 2020*\n* Liverpool Echo: [Criminal gangs behind rise in 'new narcotics' blighting our streets](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/criminal-gangs-behind-rise-new-17745776) *14 February 2020*\n* Nantwich News: [Fly-tipping: the full cost to Cheshire East taxpayers](https://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2020/02/14/fly-tipping-the-full-cost-to-cheshire-east-taxpayers/) *14 February 2020*\n* Northampton Chronicle: [Northampton Borough Council pays out nearly £100,000 in flytipping clean-up fees](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/northampton-borough-council-pays-out-nearly-ps100000-flytipping-clean-fees-1740737) *14 February 2020*\n* Rochdale News: [Major fly-tipping rates in Rochdale one of highest in country last year](https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/132756/major-flytipping-rates-in-rochdale-one-of-highest-in-country-last-year) *14 February 2020*\n* Great Yarmouth Mercury: [Responsibility falls on homeowners to cut flytipping \"at its very source\"](https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/major-fly-tipping-on-the-increase-across-norfolk-1-6516483) *15 February 2020*\n* Scarbrough News: [Large-scale fly tipping in Scarborough borough doubles in eight years - costing the taxpayer thousands](https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/politics/council/large-scale-fly-tipping-scarborough-borough-doubles-eight-years-costing-taxpayer-thousands-1758293) *14 February 2020*\n* Lancaster and Morecambe Citizen: [Fly-tipping rises sharply as 'gangs dump industrial quantities of waste'](https://www.thelancasterandmorecambecitizen.co.uk/news/18239969.lorries-involved-east-lancs-fly-tipping-rises-sharply/) *17 February 2020*\n* Lancashire Telegraph: [Fly-tipping rises sharply in Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18239969.lorries-involved-east-lancs-fly-tipping-rises-sharply/) *17 February 2020* \n* Pontefract and Castleford Express: [Councils are counting the cost of organised criminal flytipping gangs](https://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/crime/councils-are-counting-cost-organised-criminal-flytipping-gangs-1886398) *21 February 2020*\n* Wakefield Express: [Councils are counting the cost of organised criminal flytipping gangs](https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/crime/councils-are-counting-cost-organised-criminal-flytipping-gangs-1886398) *21 February 2020*\n* Evesham Journal: [Costs of fly-tipping in Dudley revealed](https://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/regional/18258174.costs-fly-tipping-dudley-revealed/) *24 February 2020*\n* Brent and Kilburn Times: [Mass rubbish dumping in Alperton is a 'criminal act' says council](https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/environment/mass-fly-tipping-in-alperton-1-6531200) *25 February 2020*\n* Essex County Standard: [Colchester Council spent £620k cleaning up flytipping](https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/18257830.colchester-council-spent-620k-cleaning-flytipping/) *25 February 2020*\n* Halesowen News: [Costs of fly-tipping in Dudley revealed](https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/18258176.costs-fly-tipping-dudley-revealed/) *25 February 2020*\n* Ham \u0026 High: [Fly-tipping: Camden's spending nearly doubles to £791,000 in 2018-19](https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/environment/fly-tipping-camden-s-spending-nearly-doubles-to-791-000-in-2018-19-1-6532178) *26 February 2020*\n\nThe story was also used by BBC Breakfast television, BBC News at One, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 2 - Jeremy Vine\n\n## Visualisation\n\n* Embedded digital video: Tackling the fly-tippers who dump by the truckload\n* Line chart: The rising cost of large fly-tipping to English councils 2012-19\n* Map: Clean-ups of a lorry-load or more in each English district per 10,000 people 2018-19\n\n## Here is the data \n\n* [Major fly-tipping data](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sCM9rUKaSQxZ-Mo92uQK7hBfFfaJ4nhDRHQEyncNlsM/edit#gid=0)\n\n## Background and briefing\n\n* [A full briefing pack on the story can be found here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xs5OrqJrYgFmERcIXJ_tUrUHKDHXHt_jLUPxcVkffuA/edit)\n","project_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fbbc-data-unit%2Forganised-crime-flytipping","html_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/projects/github.com%2Fbbc-data-unit%2Forganised-crime-flytipping","lists_url":"https://awesome.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/projects/github.com%2Fbbc-data-unit%2Forganised-crime-flytipping/lists"}